...{...Color Cue {10} Challenge...}...

I thought this challenge would be much easier for me as I LOVE red/purple color combo during the winter months.  And yet, I struggled.  I think it is because I'm not overly fond of Paptertrey Ink's Plum Pudding color, which is the cardstock I used.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE most everything Papertrey Ink, but I do wish they had a broader color selection.  Like I would love a richer, darker purple!  And OH, if they had a wonderful LIGHT GRAY, that would be HEAVENLY (I'm looking for the perfect shade of light gray cardstock)...oh my, I digress...  Once I finished the card, I was much happier than when I started laying it all out.  I think I've been trying to go w/ more simplified versions lately, and I am a girl who LOVES details and all the extra goodies.  For me, once I put the buttons on the card, I was smiling ;-)

...{...how i made this...}...
• paper
papertrey ink - cardstock - plum pudding
anna griffin - sierra (backside is kraft)
k & company - paper doll

• stamps and ink
inkadinkado - aritistic holiday stamp set
ranger - embossing tinsel - red
versamark - watermark pad
tattered angels - glimmer mist - oriental poppy
papertrey ink - fresh snow
marvy white pen

• adhesives
paper studio - sticky dots
scrapbook adhesives - ez dots
tombo mono - aqua liquid glue

• tools
fiskars - paper trimmer
martha stewart - score board, paper punch
we r memory keepers - crop-a-dile corner chomper
ek success - cutter bee scissors

...{...Sunday Outfit...}...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone 4

~ Love ya - Jessica B ~

...{...Harvest Dinner...}...

I LOVE to have dinner parties.  It's the challenge of coming up w/ a great menu...the joy in decorating...and the wonderful pleasure of giving of myself to my friends and then the return I get by spending time w/ them.

Even though my Love Language is a tie between Physical Touch and Words of Affirmation, I love to give back to others w/ gifts.  In fact Acts of Service and Receiving Gifts are my two lowest scoring.  And you usually speak your own love language to others.  Hmmm...maybe I need to retest myself as it's been...goodness, probably 5 years since I took the test.  As a side note...that's a GREAT book and one I HIGHLY recommend...

For the past several years I have a small group of friends I see almost every Friday...usually only Holidays stop our gathering.  It's anything from just dinner and a movie to hanging out at someone's house or even going out of town on a small road trip.  Their friendship is something I cherish VERY MUCH.  They really do contribute sooo much to my life...more than they realize probably.  I don't have siblings or any family my age that live close or that I'm even close to...so this group of friends are really like my bothers and sisters...and the best part, they are my Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

So onto dinner.  I thought and thought about it.  Scouring websites for some great dishes to prepare.  I wanted everyone to enjoy the food and I also wanted the challenge of preparing something I'm not used to.  That led me to the main dish.  I HATE touching raw meat; literally I cringe and gag a bit.  But I overcame this in order to make this meal.

Oh...and I NEVER make a recipe exactly as it says.  I ALWAYS feel the need to change it up someway.  Whenever I look over a recipe I start thinking, "how can I change this up to make it better"... So just be aware if I ever share a recipe w/ you, that's not exactly how I made it.  I'll try and remember to share the changes w/ you too.

The Menu
• Bacon-wrapped Pork Tenderloin w/ Apples and Onions
     ~ a combo of these recipes ~ Martha-In-Training & Bobby Flay
• Green Bean Casserole
• Potato, Squash and Goat Cheese Gratin
     ~ I used gruyere cheese and some soft swiss cheese as a replacement for most of the goat cheese as a lot of people find the flavor of goat cheese to be a bit harsh.
• Pumpkin and Cranberry Risotto
• Butternut Squash Coleslaw w/ Honey Goat Cheese Dressing
     ~ I think this got the biggest approval from everyone.  I substitute Fig Balsamic Vinegar for the Apple Cider Vinegar.  Also I'm not a fan of walnuts so I leave them out.  And I added one Honeycrisp Apple.  Oh and I leave out the parsley.
• Cheddar and Leek Muffins
     ~ Instead of leeks I used scallions.  And I added in 1 can of drained corn.
• Apple Cranberry Tarts
     ~ So I ran out of time and didn't make the Caramel sauce, but I did serve it w/ some purchased caramel.  Tarts and pies are not my thing...and due to my toying w/ the recipe, they didn't set up quite right as I had to serve them in the tart tins.  But everyone who ate them said they were really good.  I'll have to take their word as I never got around to eating any.
• Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Brownies
     ~ Yes, this is a boxed mix, but my goodness are they ever delish!  They were actually my back up due to my dismal history w/ baking tarts ;-)

I do apologize I didn't get (a) the best photos and (b) not photos of everything being made or the final pic.  I'll try to remember to get more photos for you guys next time I cook ;-)  Oh and yes, I did make place-cards for everyone...  Hope this inspires you to get in your kitchen and make some yummy goodness!

...{...Saturday Outfit...}...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone 4

~ Love ya - Jessica B ~

...{...Inspiration Class - It's FREE!...}...

Hey, just thought I'd pass along the info for this class.  I just signed up for it and am looking forward to getting some new creativity flowing...

...{...Give Thanks - Cards...}...

Oh wonderful Thanksgiving Day!  I am so blessed and know that I could never possibly thank the Lord enough for all that He has done for me in my life.  His blessings outnumber my troubles every time.  I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday :-)

Just wanted to share a few fall cards I made last week...

...{...how i made this...}...

• paper
papertrey ink - terracotta tile, ripe avocado, scarlet jewel
dcwv - amber autumn
anna griffin - sierra
wilton - doily

• stamps and ink
papertrey ink - 2009 autumn tags stamp
versa mark - watermark pad
american crafts - zing embossing powder - copper glitter
tattered angels - glimmer mist - mimosa, oriental poppy

• trim
hobby lobby - brown metallic velvet ribbon

• adhesives
paper studio - sticky dots
scrapbook adhesives - ez dots
tombo mono - aqua liquid glue

• tools
fiskars - paper trimmer
martha stewart - score board, paper punch
we r memory keepers - crop-a-dile corner chomper
ek success - cutter bee scissors

...{...Happy Birthday - November Card...}...

Just a quick card I made for a co-worker's birthday last week.  I have fallen seriously behind on updating my blog, but I have lots of goodies I'd like to post over the next few days.  Hopefully I'll get some momentum up and going so I'll continue and not leave you w/ such a long absence again...

...{...how i made this...}...

• paper
dcwv - winter card
dcwv - amber autumn matstack
wilton - doily

• stamps & ink
papertrey ink - birthday bash sentiments
stazon - timber brown
tattered angels - glimmer mist - moonlight, walnut gold
colorbox - fluid chalk - dark brown

• tools
cuttlebug
spellbinders - nestabilities - labels eight
we r momery keepers - corner chomper
ek success - cutter bee scissors
fiskars - paper trimmer
marvey uchida - embossing heat tool
scrapbook adhesives - ez dots
martha stewart - glue

...{...Color Cue {9} Challenge...}...

A card that I created today for the Color Cue {9} Challenge.  And thankfully, just going to make the deadline!

...{... how i made this ...}...

• paper
dcwv - the mariposa stack 8x8
dcwv - the luxury stack 8x8
papertrey ink - smokey shadow, stampers select white

• stamps and ink
inkadinkado - butterflies & birds
papertrey ink - big & bold wishes
versamark - watercolor stamp pad

• tools
fiskars - paper trimmer
we r memory keepers - crop-a-dile corner chomper
ek success - cutter bee - scissors

...{...Sunday Favorites...}...

1. Lonny Magazine
Lots and lots of great inspiration.  I love that this is a free online magazine.

2. Winter Rains Mini Print
A beautiful print that evokes the feeling of fall/winter.  Completely my style both artistically and they fashion styling.

3. Teal Ms. Park Avenue Coat
Ahhh...yeah, I have a thing for coats.  But this one is BEAUTIFUL!  Could definitely see it being worn as a dress.

4. Kitchen Conversions
Anyone who really knows me knows that math is not my strong point.  I could definitely use one of these in my kitchen.

5. Vosges 2010 Holiday Truffle Collection
I must admit I've never tried their chocolates, but I've heard they taste AMAZING.  And I sooo have a weak spot for chocolate (preferably dark chocolate).

6. Gifted Magazine
Yes, I could look over this a million times.  There is something about a gift guide that always gets my imagination going.  I must admit that I LOVE giving gifts and I'm always on the lookout for the perfect gift for friends and loved ones.

Well, I hope you enjoy these favs just as much as I have this week...

...{...Happy Birthday Cards...}...

Just a couple of birthday cards I made recently.

...{... how i made this ...}...
• paper
papertrey ink - plum pudding cardstock
k & company - amy butler - lotus 12x12 paper pack
wilton - doily
• embellies
papertrey ink -vintage buttons
• stamp and ink
inkadinkadoo - patterened birds and bugs
papertrey ink - fresh snow ink
tattered angels - glimmer mist - cranberry zing, mimosa
• adhesives
3l - scrapbook adhesives - ez dots
martha stewart - glue 
• tools
fiskars - paper trimmer
we r memory makers - crop-a-dile corner chomper
ek success - cutter bee - scissors

...{... how i made this ...}...
• paper
dcwv - winter card
k & company - amy butler - lotus 12x12 paper pack
amy griffin - sierra collection 5x7 paper pack
• stamp and ink
papertrey ink - fresh snow ink
papertrey ink - birthday basics stamp
colorbox - fluid chalk - creamy brown
tattered angels - glimmer mist - moonlight
sharpie
• adhesives
3l - scrapbook adhesives - ez dots
martha stewart - glue
• tools 
fiskars - paper trimmer
we r memory makers - crop-a-dile corner chomper
ek success - cutter bee - scissors
provo craft - cuttlebug
spellbinders - nestabilities - labels eight